Brian Wright picks his feature backs

FAU OC

Wright doesn't see Damian Fortner supplanting freshman Jay Warren

September 19, 2013|By Dieter Kurtenbach, Sun Sentinel

BOCA RATON — After serving a three-game suspension for an unspecified violation of the team rules, FAU running back Damian Fortner will be in uniform for the Owls Saturday when they host Middle Tennessee State.

But last year's second-leading rusher missed a lot when he was out of the lineup, and FAU offensive coordinator Brian Wright said this week he's not sure how Fortner fits into the Owls offense.

After three games, Wright has found his top two running backs and he's not keen on adding a third into the mix, even if the FAU offense is struggling.

"I have the other two guys who are way ahead of him right now," Wright said of Fortner's return.

Starting running back and team captain Jonathan Wallace is one of the two backs Wright has atop his depth chart, the other is freshman Jay Warren, who has leapfrogged three older backs to be Wallace's backup.

"He's a downhill, tough runner," Wright said of Warren. "Good feet. Strong. He's always in a good football position to help us pick up in pass protection."

And with FAU's offensive line as inexperienced as it is, that pass protection has a focal point of Wright's evaluations. Martese Jackson's inability to help out in that area has left him relegated to the bench, despite his team-best speed. Fortner looks to be on the outside because of the same deficiency.

In his senior season at Navarre, Warren ran for 1,800 yards and 21 touchdowns. So far this season, Warren has only four carries, netting a nearly negligible 10 yards, but Wright said he plans on getting more carries for the freshman in the next few weeks.

When asked if Warren's immediate impact has surprised him, Wright couldn't say no fast enough, adding: "I'd hope not. We have to get a lot more [like him]."